Types of Conestoga Trailers: Flatbed, Step-Deck & Double-Drop
The Conestoga rolling tarp system can be installed on three different trailer platforms, each designed for different freight dimensions and weight requirements. Choosing the right configuration determines what loads you can haul, how much you can carry, and which shippers you can serve. This guide breaks down each type with specifications, use cases, and recommendations.
3 Types
Conestoga Configurations
96-138 in
Interior Height Range
35K-44K lbs
Payload Range
O Trucking Editorial Team
Trucking Industry Experts
Fact-Checked by O Trucking Dispatch Team
5+ years dispatching flatbed, step-deck, and specialty trailer equipment across all freight types
This article was written by the O Trucking editorial team with 9+ years of combined trucking industry experience. Learn more about us.
O TruckingTypes of Conestoga Trailers: Flatbed, Step-Deck & Double-Drop (2026)
Three Conestoga Configurations
All three Conestoga types use the same core technology — a retractable rolling tarp that slides on tracks to cover or expose the cargo area. The difference is the trailer platform underneath. Each platform offers different deck heights and interior clearances, which determines what freight each can carry:
- Flatbed Conestoga — Standard deck height (~60"). Most common. Highest payload capacity of the three.
- Step-Deck Conestoga — Lower main deck (~36-42"). More interior height. Moderate availability.
- Double-Drop Conestoga — Lowest deck height (~22-26"). Maximum interior clearance. Rare and expensive.
1. Flatbed Conestoga
The flatbed Conestoga is built on a standard flatbed platform — the same type of trailer used for the majority of open-deck freight in the United States. The rolling tarp system is mounted on tracks that run along both sides of the flatbed frame.
Flatbed Conestoga Key Specs
- Length: 48-53 ft (53 ft most common)
- Width: 102 in (8.5 ft)
- Deck Height: ~60 in from ground
- Interior Height: 96-102 in (8-8.5 ft)
- Trailer Weight: 14,500-16,000 lbs
- Max Payload: 42,000-44,000 lbs
- New Cost: $65,000-$85,000
- Availability: Most common
Best freight types for flatbed Conestoga: Building materials (lumber, drywall, roofing), finished steel products, paper rolls, machinery under 8 feet tall, palletized consumer goods, and any standard flatbed freight that needs weather protection.
Limitations: Interior height of 96-102 inches limits cargo to approximately 8-8.5 feet tall from the deck surface. Freight taller than this will not clear the tarp bows and needs a step-deck or double-drop configuration. See our dimensions guide for exact measurements.
2. Step-Deck Conestoga
The step-deck Conestoga is built on a step-deck (drop-deck) platform. This trailer has two deck levels — a shorter upper deck at the front (near the tractor) at standard flatbed height, and a longer lower deck that drops down approximately 18-24 inches. The rolling tarp system spans the entire trailer length across both deck levels.
Step-Deck Conestoga Key Specs
- Total Length: 48-53 ft
- Upper Deck: 10-12 ft long, ~60 in height
- Lower Deck: 37-41 ft long, ~36-42 in height
- Interior Height (Lower): 102-114 in (8.5-9.5 ft)
- Width: 102 in (8.5 ft)
- Trailer Weight: 15,000-17,000 lbs
- Max Payload: 40,000-42,000 lbs
- New Cost: $75,000-$95,000
Best freight types for step-deck Conestoga: Tall machinery and equipment (8-9.5 feet), electrical cabinets, large HVAC units, stacked pallets that exceed flatbed Conestoga height limits, tall crated goods, and any freight that needs both extra height clearance and weather protection.
Key advantage: The lower main deck provides 6-12 inches of additional interior clearance compared to a flatbed Conestoga. This extra height can be the deciding factor for tall freight. The upper deck still accommodates shorter, heavier items or can be used for additional cargo.
Step-Deck Loading Considerations
3. Double-Drop Conestoga
The double-drop Conestoga is the most specialized configuration. Built on a double-drop (lowboy) platform, it has three deck levels — a front section at standard height, a middle “well” that drops to 22-26 inches from the ground, and a rear section that rises back up over the rear axles. The rolling tarp system covers the well area.
Double-Drop Conestoga Key Specs
- Total Length: 48-53 ft
- Well Length: 25-29 ft
- Well Deck Height: ~22-26 in from ground
- Interior Height (Well): 120-138 in (10-11.5 ft)
- Width: 102 in (8.5 ft)
- Trailer Weight: 17,000-20,000 lbs
- Max Payload: 35,000-40,000 lbs
- New Cost: $90,000-$120,000+
Best freight types for double-drop Conestoga: Very tall industrial equipment (generators, transformers), large military equipment, construction machinery with sensitive electronics, tall fabricated structures, and any freight requiring 10+ feet of interior clearance with weather protection.
Key limitation: The well length is only 25-29 feet — much shorter than the full deck of a flatbed or step-deck Conestoga. This restricts the length of freight that can ride in the protected well area. Additionally, the lower payload capacity (35,000-40,000 lbs) and high equipment cost make this configuration impractical for general freight.
Double-Drop Conestoga: Only Buy If You Have Dedicated Freight
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Flatbed | Step-Deck | Double-Drop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Height | 96-102 in | 102-114 in | 120-138 in |
| Max Payload | 42K-44K lbs | 40K-42K lbs | 35K-40K lbs |
| Usable Deck Length | 46-51 ft | 37-41 ft (lower) | 25-29 ft (well) |
| Equipment Cost | $65K-$85K | $75K-$95K | $90K-$120K+ |
| Load Availability | High | Moderate | Low |
| Rate Premium | +$0.15-$0.40/mi | +$0.25-$0.50/mi | +$0.40-$0.75/mi |
| Best For | General freight under 8.5 ft | Tall freight 8.5-9.5 ft | Very tall freight 10-11.5 ft |
Matching Freight to the Right Configuration
The right Conestoga type depends on your freight's three critical dimensions: height, weight, and length. Here is a quick decision guide:
Freight under 8 feet tall, any weight under 44K lbs — Use a flatbed Conestoga. This covers the vast majority of weather-sensitive flatbed freight including building materials, finished metals, paper products, and standard machinery.
Freight 8-9.5 feet tall, under 42K lbs — Use a step-deck Conestoga. The lower main deck provides the extra clearance needed for tall equipment, cabinets, and stacked loads that will not clear flatbed Conestoga tarp bows.
Freight 10+ feet tall, under 40K lbs, under 29 ft long — Use a double-drop Conestoga. This is the only option for very tall freight that needs enclosed weather protection within legal height limits.
Freight over 44K lbs — Use a standard flatbed (no Conestoga). The tarp system weight penalty pushes the total over legal GVW limits. Manual tarping or other weather protection methods are needed for heavy loads. See our Conestoga vs flatbed comparison.
Which Configuration Should You Buy?
For most carriers entering the Conestoga market, the flatbed Conestoga is the right first choice. Here is why:
Widest freight market — The flatbed Conestoga handles the largest range of loads. When Conestoga loads are unavailable, it runs as a standard flatbed. Maximum versatility.
Highest payload capacity — At 42,000-44,000 lbs, the flatbed Conestoga can handle heavier loads than the step-deck or double-drop configurations.
Lowest entry cost — At $65,000-$85,000 new (or $30,000-$45,000 used), the flatbed Conestoga is the most affordable way to enter the Conestoga market.
Easiest to resell — Flatbed Conestoga trailers have the best resale value because they appeal to the widest range of buyers. Step-deck and double-drop Conestoga units have a much smaller buyer pool.
Step-Deck Conestoga: A Good Second Trailer
How Our Dispatch Team Handles Different Configurations
At O Trucking LLC, we dispatch carriers running all three Conestoga configurations. Our approach:
Configuration-matched load sourcing
We know the exact dimensions and weight capacity of each carrier's equipment. When sourcing loads, we match freight dimensions to trailer specs — routing tall freight to step-deck Conestoga carriers and standard freight to flatbed Conestoga carriers. No dimensional surprises at the shipper.
Equipment-appropriate rate negotiation
We negotiate rates based on the specific configuration needed. Step-deck Conestoga loads command higher premiums than flatbed Conestoga loads due to the even smaller equipment supply. We make sure our carriers capture that premium.
Need a Dispatcher Who Knows Conestoga Configurations?
Our dispatchers understand the dimensional limits of every Conestoga type and match freight to equipment accurately. No surprises, no overweight violations, no cargo that doesn't fit.